Sarri sees first season as a big success

Maurizio Sarri believes his first season at Chelsea has been a success – regardless of whether it ends with a trophy.

Head coach Sarri has faced criticism from fans and pundits during a troubled campaign but has secured a top-four finish and a place in the Europa League semi-finals.

A European trophy would make it a season to remember for the Blues but Sarri claims his first task was to improve his players.

And he believes he has done so, with the likes of Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi making an impact.

Sarri said: “I think that in the my job the first target is not to win a trophy, the first target is to improve players.

“We are trying to do it and in my opinion some players improved, especially the young players; Callum, Loftus.

“Not only the young players, because in my opinion Barkley improved.

“I think we had a lot of problems but the work is going in the right direction, I think.”

Sarri was speaking at a news conference on the eve of the Europa League semi-final second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Chelsea have a potentially crucial away goal from the 1-1 draw in the first leg and can feel confident about their chances of reaching the final in Baku.

“I think that we reached the target of the club (by qualifying for the Champions League), so we are really happy with this,” Sarri said.

“Now we have to play in another competition. The target is to reach the final and the final target is to win the competition.

“Our feeling is that we deserve to win a trophy. So it’s a very important match.”

Meanwhile, Loftus-Cheek says he is optimistic he can overcome his persistent back problems.